GC-MS Fatty Acid Profile and In Silico Studies of Telfairia Occidentalis Hook F. (Fluted Pumpkin) and Sphenostylis Stenocarpa (African Yam Bean) Seeds Oil on Human 5 Alpha Reductase II

    February 2026
    Etim Esin Etim, Lawrence U. S. Ezeanyika, Martin Msughter Ganyam
    TLDR Compounds in fluted pumpkin and African yam bean seed oils may help manage benign prostate hyperplasia.
    This study investigates the potential of fatty acids from Telfairia occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin) and Sphenostylis stenocarpa (African Yam bean) seed oils to inhibit human 5α-reductase II, an enzyme linked to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Using gas mass spectrophotometry and computer modeling, the study identified 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester from African yam bean seeds and Cyclopentadecanone, 2-hydroxy- from fluted pumpkin seeds as promising inhibitors. The molecular docking and MM-GBSA analyses showed significant binding affinities, suggesting that these compounds could be effective in managing BPH. However, further animal and laboratory studies are necessary to validate these findings.
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